The community is invited to join us as we gather speakers and information to share with our friends and neighbors.
As we kick-off our inaugural workshop series, “DO YOU KNOW…”, we offer an informal and relaxed setting in the heart of Ferguson for our neighbors to drop in and learn about valuable community resources. We hope this series of five workshops will help improve the quality of life by addressing topics relevant to our community. Through the expertise of these community partners, we can bring resources to improve and strengthen our community.
Our first series will focus on education, housing, and personal finance. Depending on the success, interests, and feedback expressed in surveys and conversations we receive from the spring series, we hope to continue offering relevant workshops in the future.
All of the workshops take place at The Episcopal Church of St. Stephen’s and the Vine, 33 N. Clay Ave. in Ferguson.
Do you know about the A+ Program?
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
6 p.m.
Special guest: Dr. Tchule Moore from the School of Social Work at the University of Missouri-St. Louis
The first workshop, “Do you know about the A+ Program?” is ideally suited for prospective middle school age teens and their parents.
The A+ program allows participants to earn an associate’s degree, receiving two years of education at a community college, that is transferable to a bachelor’s program. Unfortunately, not many students take advantage of this program. Despite the name, students are not required to earn straight A’s, but this program does utilize ALL for years of a student’s high school experience.
Do you know how to apply to a university, college, or trade school?
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
6 p.m.
Special guests: Zak Tierney, Assistant Director in Admissions, University of Missouri-St. Louis along with an academic team of administrators at UMSL.
This presentation will discuss the challenges to completing the application and essay, applying for financial aid, registration, and preparation for takiing the SAT/ACT entrance exams, and other considerations relevant to pursuing an education after high school.
Do you know how to purchase a home?
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
6 p.m.
Special guest: Chelsea Johnson, Beyond Housing, HUD Certified Housing Counselor
Johnson will outline all the necessary steps involved in purchasing a home: lean pre-approval, budget, credit score, types of loans, choosing a realtor, making an offer, getting an appraisal, home inspection, radon check, etc.
Do you know the components of end-of-life preparations?
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Special guests: Michael & Patricia Fowlkes, workbook authors
Michael & Patricia Fowlkes use their workbook to lead a discussion on the preparations necessary for you to make concerning your estate distribution, who will make decisions for you if you are unable to do so, and funeral and other end of life concerns. This essential preparation eliminates the need for children, spouses, friends, or strangers having to handle this great responsibility.
Do you know how to create a personal budget, the significance of your credit schore, and how to communicate and discuss financial matters with loved ones?
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
6 p.m.
Special guests: Mark Fetters, Director of University of Missouri-St. Louis Center for Excellence in Financial Counseling; Jim Struble, Community American Credit Union; Alan Heisel, University of Missouri-St. Louis communications professor and Department Chair
A panel of personal finance experts from UMSL will share how individuals and families can live within their means, not overextended and in debt, by exploring how to budget, save for retirement, investing, credit scores vs. credit cards, loans, and banking services available.